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Sleeping cat,

Dreaming of stars,

Content in the silence,

Under the moon,

On a warm summers night.

Sleeping cat,

Chases the stars,

In the moonlight,

Before the morning.

That is a poem written by David Arandle also known as TET (which stands for The Extraordinary Tourist). An independent artist, he designs various products like shirts, notebooks, and others with cat images (see his website). Quite surprising to know that there’s a man out there who isn’t afraid to shout to the whole world that he’s interested in feline designs (‘coz most people I know who love cats are females).

But actually, TET is not the sole artist who’s fascinated with cats. ‘Coz here comes the Peugeot Feline 607, a car which design was inspired by a big cat. Take a closer look at the car. Hmm… Doesn’t it appear like a cat having its warm up exercises? (Good for those with pet cats at home, they won’t have to bang their heads imagining the resemblance I’m talking about).

This concept car was actually displayed for the first time during the 2000 Geneva Autoshow. The Peugeot Feline 607 was intended to be a luxurious as well as racy roadster although it incorporates some designs from the 607 sedan including its front end and rear light assembly.

Peugeot Feline 607 features a V6 engine longitudinally located behind its gearbox. Meanwhile, to complete its one-off concept, its wheels are pushed to its extreme corners—a style that according to Diseno-art is impractical for production vehicles.

On the sidelight, Auto Motto regards it as a “car with an out-of-this world shape.” In its review, Peugeot Feline 607 was described as “a mount on the top right in middle (which) has a flying saucer-ish look and the contrast of grey and red interiors in this particular model.”

Well, it must be true that two persons can look at same things in different perspectives. In the case of Peugeot Feline 607, one sees a cat in it, the other a spaceship.

Let’s just focus on the name, I suggest.

Roofless. Doorless. Windscreen-free. That best describe the new Smart Crossblade, reports from channel4.com, said. Amounting to £15,990, let’s see what this car has, which makes it a certified one-of-a-kind concept car.

According to Auto Motto, it weighs approximately 1600 pounds. The Smart Crossblade also features a trurbocharged inline-3 engine that’s capable of generating 70 hp as well as 80 lb-ft of torque. If you’re worried that you might just find yourself rolling on the streets ‘coz it does not have doors (uhm personally, I worry ‘bout the same thing), well, no need for that, ‘coz I discovered that instead of doors, it comes with steel safety bows designed to keep you inside the car while the vehicle is running.

The first 2,000 Smart Crossblade units were released some years ago while its first recipient was no other than the world-famous Hollywood actor Robbie Williams who said, “Wow, I just love this car. It’s innovative and unconventional, the two main qualities I look for in new projects.”

But of course, there’s always more to life than driving a cute and unique car—that’s arriving at your destination with the highest level of safety and convenience.

Fuel economy. With the soaring price of fuel needed to run vehicles nowadays, for sure you also have been infected by what is called “fuel economy fever.” Ya know, that impulse, almost an addiction to less fuel costs. Personally, one of the best strategies I’ve discovered (and trying HARD to apply) to resolve the same issue is by cutting off my non-work related travels. That means, no more chance to drive to the park or mall or anywhere else that would just make me consume not only high amounts of fuel but money as well. Lynda should know, I’m not just an impulsive driver but an impulsive buyer too. For sure, she’s worried to see me come home with bags of popcorn (my favorite) and DVDs of the hottest movies in town. And her strategies always knock me off, “Before you turn on the television Eli, won’t you try lookin’ at these pieces of paper. LOOK CLOSELY.” Only to realize that those were our electrical bills, which cost almost half of my salary.

But I guess, I could bring back my same old “I’m the king if the world” lifestyle the moment Volkswagen’s 1-liter car hits United States’ roads. Haven’t heard ‘bout it yet? Oh well, this two-seater concept car, is intended to run for up to 100 kilometers using guess what? Got it! Just a litre of fuel. One liter of fuel equivalent to 100 kilometers, isn’t that amazing?

“Oh, that’s too good to be true,” you might say. But yeah! It is real. The Volkswagen 1-liter car was made possible through lightweight materials, streamlined body, as well as fuel-efficient engine and transmission. It can accommodate two passengers, seated in tandem. It’s also definitely high-tech with its cameras and electronic gadgets, designed for safety purposes.

The Volkswagen 1-liter car is indeed a product of careful and logical thought. Why? ‘Coz all its components and features were purposely incorporated. Just take its unpainted carbon fibre skin, for example. Did you know that along with its engine, suspension, transmission, and wheels, ‘twas intended for lightweight? In fact, according to wikipedia, an empty Volkswagen 1-liter car weighs only 290 kilograms or 639 pounds.

Meanwhile, talking ‘bout safety. This car features crush zones and other protective gears to ensure passenger security equivalent to a GT racing car. On the other hand, if you’re the type who’s comfortable with lots of baggage in the car, that’s not a prob with the Volkswgaen 1-liter car for it can store up to 80 liters of cargoes.

I have to wait for another two years though. The Volkswagen 1-liter car is bound for production in 2010.

Insects are fanciful creatures, aren’t they? Personally, I enjoy watching butterflies flying around Lynda’s garden. Fireflies amaze me too. But there’s this one insect which scares me. No, not cockroach (though to be honest, I don’t like ‘em too). Guess what is it. Correct. Spiders, black widow spiders, to be exact.

Death doesn’t scare me but death caused by an insect bite? O c’mon, Eli Osteen is not in favor with that! Aside from the fact that it’s painful, I have this notion that it’s an ungraceful way of facing death. We all know that this spider is notorious for its venom. Ain’t that a justifiable cause to fear? If that happens, I’d be no less than Napoleon Bonaparte defeated by the Russian winter or Alexander the Great killed by mosquito bite. O my! What a disgrace! But I accept the fact that I got no control over my death if ever, just as I’ve got no control over my life (except on my mind, will and emotions). Everything else is in the hands of the Big Man up there (look up).

Anyway, that thought just crossed my mind when I saw this car called Black Widow car concept, a design created by Clint Motley. The Black Widow car concept is capable of accommodating at least two passengers at lesser fuel consumption and space. Its body was crafted from carbon fiber and Kevlar making it swift, light, and of course, comfortable to drive.

Meanwhile, it features a suspension system that’s capable of detaching its swing arms and wheels from the vehicle’s cockpit. It also incorporates dampers mounted on its front and back for optimum impact absorption. In addition, the Black Widow concept car comes with an electronically-controlled fly-by-wire steering wheel which utilizes a CPU.

Interesting concept, isn’t it? No wonder, it’s called Black Widow. Its charms can kill.

Glory. Gettysburg. Gone with the Wind. North and South. The Red Badge of Courage. Shenandoa. The Four Feathers. Apocalypto. Troy. The Patriot. Those were just some of my favorite war movies. Ya know, aside from sc-fi films, I really love watching war movies. Yeah, they’re bloody (it makes me shiver at the same time curious how directors make them appear so real on screen) but one thing that keeps me hooked on such type of movies is the spirit of heroism they instill in me. It’s as if I absorb the hero’s strength and courage, making me a new and better person each time I watch them fight or love and honor on-screen.

Among the war movies I’ve watched in my entire life, Braveheart, starring Mel Gibson, is one of the closest to my heart. Who would dare forget the legendary William Wallace, the Scottish commoner and rebel who fought for his country’s freedom from English tyranny during the 13^th century? Until now, Wallace’s words, “It’s all for nothing if you don’t have freedom,” still resound in my ears.

That’s why when I saw this car called Falen from Scotland, Braveheart was the very first thing that crossed my mind. I know England has progressed a lot after many centuries long after Wallace’s death. But I believe, Scottish people’s national pride remains to be a special part of their culture. So I won’t be surprised if Falen would bear that culture.

You gotta see this: I’ve learned that Falen took its name from a Scottish demon (What?). Designed by Dowdeswell and Hardie, a studio based in Gleneagles, Falen comes with a full carbon monocoque. In addition, it features a cockpit’s roof and glass area that hinges backward to achieve its 1000 kilogram kerb weight target. Scotland’s Falen supercar stands at 4.2 meters long and incorporates a 5.5-liter Judd V10 that’s capable of producing over 800 bhp. Also, it is powered by a five-speed transaxle gearbox along with a Judd GV5 S2 powerplant.

See more about Scotland’s Falen supercar in March next year on its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

A dragonfly taking flight. That’s how I described the Renault Megane, launched more or less two months ago at the Geneva International Auto Show held in Geneva, Switzerland. A compact coupe, the Renault Megane features gull-wing doors which look like dragonfly wings.

Were it not for its scarlet body, this car called Citröen’s C-Métisse concept car would have resembled a Renault Megane. This automobile tagged as “scarlet beauty” by my source was featured during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a competition for car and star drivers in celebration of motor sport as well as car culture’s history. This event is usually participated in by different motor sports legends in their magnificent racing motorcycles, rally cars, Formula One cars, and even steam carriages.

The Citröen’s C-Métisse concept car comes with an aviation-style cockpit and similar to the Renault Megane, gull-wing doors on its front and rear. You also won’t go wrong with its performance ‘coz it’s powered by a V6 HDi diesel engine that’s capable of producing 208 bhp. In addition, it incorporates two electric motors that are installed separately on its rear wheels.

How about its speed? You may ask. Well, the Citröen’s C-Métisse concept car has 155 miles per hour (mph) top speed. I fact, it has the capacity to generate 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds and 400 Nm amount of torque.

Meanwhile, if you’re worried about fuel costs, well, that won’t be a problem with this concept car for it only consumes 45 miles per gallon, thus, maintaining fuel economy and low emissions.

Red combined with an orange hue. That’s scarlet, the color of flame and blood. A perfect color for a perfectly hot and fabulous car like the Citröen’s C-Métisse concept car.

Based in Paris, France, Citroën is a subsidiary of the PSA Peugeot Citroën. It was founded by French entrepreneur Andre´-Gustave Citroën in 1919 and is known for mass-producing the world’s first front wheel drive car.

It has produced various passenger cars and vans, bus, trucks, alternative propulsion vehicles, and concept cars including the Citroën Traction Avant 22CV, G Van, Prototype C or Coccinelle, C-60, Project F, Mini Zup, GS Camargue, 2CV Pop, Prototype Y, C44, Karin Xenia, Eco 2000, Eole, Zabrus Bertone, Activa, Activa II, Citella, Xanae, Osmose, Tulip, C3 Lumière, C6 Lignage, Osée Pininfarina, PLuriel, C-Crosser, C-Airdream, C-Airlounge, C-Airplay, C-Buggy, C-Cactus, and of course, the C-Métisse.

Can you imagine how miserable life would be without electricity? I, personally cannot live without drinking eight glasses of ice cold water a day so I don’t think I’d survive without a refrigerator. I also have this struggle over sleeping with lights off. I’m a certified scotophobic, I guess.

That’s why I’m very much thankful that such technologies as turbines were discovered to provide most electrical power here in our planet. There are various types of turbines according to wikipedia. These include steam turbines used to generate electricity in many thermal power plants including those which work on nuclear power, fuel oil, and coal; gas turbines also known as turbine engines; transonic turbines, statorless turbine, contra-rotating turbines, ceramic turbine, shrouded turbine, bladeless turbine, water turbine, and wind turbine.

And just recently, I came across this car called Turbine. Of course, based from my idea of what a turbine is, I set high expectations on this one. Auto Motto said it features a semitrailer design—“a good design that initially makes the product stand out and then the utility and performance kick in to drive it home.”

Stylish and comfortable. That’s the Turbine which happens to be a complete hybrid with its electric motor powered by gas and compressed natural gas (CNG). Turbine is also refillable, by the way. Inside, you’ll surely enjoy its spacious cabin which features comfortable seats. You can even sleep and cook inside!

You can also count on Turbine’s performance ‘coz it comes with an aerodynamic form and passed several wind tunnel tests.

Though it’s somewhat far from the all-electric car I thought it was, I assure you that the Turbine is one great innovation that will surely captivate your imagination!

This car is often regarded as a “sporty version of a box.” Launched last March during the New York International Auto Show, the Scion Hako, conceived by the Tokyo Design Division is a coupe especially designed for fun-loving and car-crazed youths. Well, quite obvious with its bright orange paint. According to Autoblog, the Scion Hako is a fusion between form and functionality.

“There’s a focus on lifestyle elements that find their way inside, with storage crevices for magazines and mobile phones, flat screen monitors and a video-game inspired dash that would be all the rage if you were eight and it were 1992,” Autoblog said.

In a press release published in Autoblog, Scion Hako’s Vice President Jack Hollis said that this concept is such an embodiment of the world’s perspective on modern youth. He added, “This type of forward thinking complements the Scion philosophy of intently listening to our customers and being willing to take risks to help us see where our brand should be.”

The Scion Hako’s design was based from the Scion xB minus a number of its doors. It features a geometric design, trapezoidal light-emitting diodes (LED) lights, side mirrors inspired by race cars, flared fenders, round fog lights, and vertical windshield.

This car’s entertainment system will surely appeal to many young car owners out there. Since boredom is commonly the number one concern of most drivers, the Scion Hako comes with high-tech features such as Bluetooth connectivity which allows uploading videos and music. It is also equipped with video monitors and video monitor screens which play videos and music.

However, at product-reviews.net, it was revealed that there are debates regarding the Scion Hako’s visual appeal. But as Mark, a Scion Hako fanatic said, “This car does not sit on either side of the good-looking fence nor the ugly fence, you either love it or hate it and it is simple as that in my eyes, and my eyes say it is stunning.”

You decide.

Needless to discuss this car, I’m sure I already got you hooked just with its picture. C’mon, admit it! Anyway, we got the same reason for reading its entire story.

Well, you can see here a lobster mounted on a car. I suppose this is a unique strategy by a restaurant that specializes on lobster menus. Oh, I recall one of my friends’ silly joke when asked about his favorite food. He said sea food. And when asked why, he said, “Coz every time I see food, I eat them all.” Okay, no problem. I know it’s corny. Peace, dude! Seriously. We’re talking ‘bout food here. I personally love sea food too—tuna, shellfish, crab, and yeah lobsters. I love them baked, boiled, grilled, and steamed. Though, I’m sorry to say that eating it is a li’l messy not to add the fact that it makes you feel guilty (Imagine yourself being a lobster—twisted, cracked, and eaten whole).

But going back to the lobster car which is actually a delivery car. I appreciate this restaurant owner’s knack for advertising and marketing. Indeed when television and newspaper ads are insufficient, cars make best tools for promotion. Brilliant idea!

I often have this tendency to be impractical. Ya know, choosing what appeals more to my senses than the cost or time required. I dunno how to outdo that illness (I call it as such ‘coz I’m hopeful that it has a solution) but I’m glad Lynda, my wife, is always there to “light candles”—disappointed she may be but I’m learning a lot from her example. So now, I focus not on aesthetics but on practicality especially in choosing which product to buy.

For that reason, recently, I asked Lynda if she knows a certain Mathew Rogers, the one who developed a car designed to provide much comfort and ease. According to Auto Motto, Rogers’ concept is a vehicle which has all the features modern car users want in their vehicles. Clear and detailed. These best describe this concept. Well, pretty obvious, isn’t it? Referring to its sketch, I agree with Auto Motto’s assessment that it is driver-friendly. Meaning, handling it won’t give me headaches, if ever. In addition, it incorporates a door which consumes less space when opened. It also comes with a roomy interior. Moreover, changing this vehicle’s tyres is also favorable for hassle-free commuting.

Auto Motto remarked that it has “ample space on the inside and seems ideal for picnic as it really offers plenty of dexterous features with the seating.” Hmm… Really? Then, Lynda will surely love this car!

I just hope it will go to production soon.